Hemmings Find of the Day – 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

Should a car that’s been painted by a previous owner be repainted back to its original color? For many cars, we’d have no problem with such a course of action, but for this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, which wears a non-stock color – but one integral to its provenance – we’d rather see it left as is. Would you take this Brougham back to its original black? From the seller’s description:

An original documented low-mileage one-owner car. It was purchased new in Beverly Hills, CS and has much local Beverly Hills provenance. In the ’60s or ’70s the owner had the originally black car repainted to a ruby red color to match her jewelry, and this color has been retained. After only 33,000 documented miles of use, it sat in a garage on her Beverly Hills estate until 2009 when it was removed from the estate and sorted mechanically to the point of demonstrating its mechanical integrity while attempting to maintain its unrestored status.

The exterior body, chrome, and stainless are in good condition. The stainless top is immaculate. The gray interior is in good condition, while the interior chrome is pitted. The original vanities include the six shot glasses and plastic storage tube, leather-bound beveled mirror, leather-bound notebook and miniature Cross pen. The original Uniroyal 140 tire remains unused in the trunk mounted on the original wheel.

To bring the car back to life, the fuel, brake and cooling systems were serviced, carburetors rebuilt, and new tires installed. The air ride system has been retained for authenticity, and although all the components seem to function, they do require rebuilding. Retention of these components allows the new owner the option of rebuilding the original air ride suspension to maintain originality or making the conversion to coil spring suspension.

Known missing components include the jack handle and jack base, the windshield washer bottle, and the upper half of the fan shroud. Buyer should be aware that the glovebox latch is broken and there is a crack in the front bumper that is difficult to see from the photos.

April 23, 2011 10:23 pm

Larry Huffmansays:

April 22, 2011 10:16 am

kentuckyguysays:

April 22, 2011 10:28 am

Jimmy Givenssays:

April 22, 2011 10:28 am

I like the way the hood opens. I could and probably would “Paint It Black” [sorry, Rolling Stones just came to mind!]. A car like this I would completly restore… If I had the $$$$$$$$$! This IS a beautiful automobile!! 😉

Bud P.says:

April 22, 2011 10:47 am

Briansays:

April 22, 2011 11:37 am

I must be missing something. Who was the original owner? Nothing in the listing states this person’s identity. If it is/was someone famous, fine, leave it red, provided this history is fully documented. Otherwise, it has no so-called “provenance” – it’s just another car that has been diminished by thoughtless modifications. There’s a reason these cars were black. Plus it’s been sitting untouched in long-term storage until now and needs full restoration. And all for a measly $92K buy-in! What a bargain – not! “Museum piece” anyone?

Andrew Frankssays:

April 22, 2011 12:15 pm

Roger Zimmermannsays:

April 22, 2011 12:21 pm

I would let the car with this paint. I restored years ago a ’57 Brougham; when I bought it, it was green metallic (don’t like green). The original color was white, but this color does not give a good contrast with the roof. As the trim is black/white, I let paint the car black. I still have the car; I don’t regret my choice.

Jerry Jamessays:

April 22, 2011 1:21 pm

Wow, what a beauty these were (and still are today for my money). I say leave the car red…just fir the reason is was made red to begin with. Make it mechanically whole and right…suspension, etc. and drive it so all of us car folks who don’t have one to feast our eyes upon, can do so with this one. May the new owner live long and drive many miles.

Scottsays:

April 22, 2011 2:43 pm

What’s the difference between a rich person destroying a car in the 1960s or 1970s as opposed to today? If this had happened this year everyone would be screaming in disgust. It’s either original or it’s not.

It’s an interesting story but awfully vague and those of you who follow the market closely know that there is hardly a car over $10 grand that doesn’t acquire some story about famous owners in it’s past to try and make it more than it is. This seems like more of the same.

david rsays:

April 22, 2011 3:13 pm

no mention of the engine? in the early 60’s i saw an example of this same car in storage in a garage in Pa. i remember it had 2-4 barrel carbs & a switch in the glove box to open the trunk. please leave it red. only a ’71 Hemi Cuda convertible or a similar car, would warrant a re-paint to original factory specs.

April 22, 2011 5:10 pm

Larry youngsays:

April 22, 2011 6:37 pm

I think this is a two way street.I LOVE black.this decision is up to the new owner.However,in Muscle Machine’s,there is a growing movement toward’s DAY 2 car’s,you know,mag wheel’s custom paint& so on.good luck to the new owner!!

Channing Greenesays:

April 23, 2011 2:59 am

Glen D.Bibbysays:

April 23, 2011 7:17 pm

The concept of having something as expensive as this car painted to match Madame’s bling is too perfect. The burning question is, who was she, Zsa Zsa Gabor? It looks as if the AirPoise is working, sort of, as it’s doing “low rider” in the pic.
My 59 Parisienne did that, would always grumble to her feet when started.That was in ’74 though.
I think the red looks fab, they did do other colours than black, and they all looked stunning.
Glen

salguodsays:

April 25, 2011 12:45 pm

Rare to find one with the air suspension still intact. They were so troublesome, most owners yanked them and put in standard springs.

I’d leave it red, so many of these cars were either black, gray or steel blue. Seeing one in red is a welcome change. Back in 2008 at the Arthritis Foundation Show here in Columbus, I saw an amazing ’57 Brougham in bright red with a white interior. Absolutely stunning, check it out, however it was originally black or gray, if I recall. That red was worth every bit of scorn you’d get from purists, though.

MHsays:

April 25, 2011 4:26 pm

Another vote for leave as is. A change of color from something dreadfully dull such as black, white, or off-white (especially for such a lively styled vehicle), or choosing something more attractive than the awful fads of the day (such as the pinks and corals that were popular in the late 50’s) makes a great car exceptional. Otherwise, I tend to be an aesthetic purist. I hate those ugly continental kits that are tacked onto an otherwise tasteful restoration, which totally spoil the rear lines.

Rezmansays:

April 28, 2011 11:38 pm

A beautifull rolling work of art!.

I remember stories of Eldorado Brougham owners finding their prized Caddie sitting on the pavement after sitting undriven for a few days because the air ride leaked off, and it would take 20 minuites of idling to get the car back up to ride height. Many owners wound up converting over to coil spring suspension after getting tired of the finicky air system.

May 4, 2011 10:59 am

Paolosays:

May 4, 2011 11:12 am

I think it has 6 ash trays to match the 6 shot glasses. One on each door arm rest, one on the back of the front seat, and one on the dash. Quite a machine that seats six and generously offers each person a drink and a place to rest their cigarette when pouring that second drink.
This was a car designed by adults for adults.